Protective Robot Wrap

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates generally to protective covers, for example, suitable for protecting parts of a robot. The present disclosure relates more particularly to a protective wrap for a robot component. The protective wrap includes a continuous strip of a material sheet configured to wrap around the robot component in a plurality of loops so as to form a tubular body that surrounds a portion of the robot component.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.17/374,676, filed Jul. 13, 2021, which claims the benefit of priority toU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/192,895, filed May 25, 2021,each of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

Robots are frequently operated in harsh environments and the surface ofthe robot can become contaminated and unclean. Cleaning the robots canbe labor intensive and use of the robot is typically suspended duringthe cleaning process.

OVERVIEW

Disclosed herein are materials, systems and methods for protecting thesurface of machine components. Beneficially, various embodiments of thematerials, systems and methods can be used to protect parts of themachine and keep the machine components relatively clean so that timeconsuming and labor intensive cleaning steps can be reduced. Theprotective wrap may also beneficially retain contaminants to preventfurther contamination, for example, by dripping of contaminants ontoother surfaces.

The protective wrap and methods described herein are adapted forprotecting a variety of different machine components, including roboticequipment, manufacturing equipment, industrial equipment, automatedequipment, and other machinery from contaminating substances in avariety of industries, including medical, food processing, aerospace,watercraft, heavy industrial, automotive, and others.

The embodiments described in further detail herein relate to roboticequipment and the use of the protective wrap for protecting robotcomponents, such as arm segments, end effectors, chassis, connectingrods, and robot bases. For example, in some embodiments, the protectivewrap and methods described herein can be used to protect portions ofindustrial robots used in manufacturing, such as painting robots. Inother embodiments, the protective wrap and methods described herein canbe used to protect portions of surgical robots, for example, fromcontaminating substances during a medical procedure, such as blood andirrigating fluid. Other embodiments may relate to other machinery, asexplained above.

Thus, in a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a protectivewrap for a robot component, the protective wrap comprising a continuousstrip of a material sheet configured to wrap around the robot componentin a plurality of loops so as to form a tubular body that surrounds aportion of the robot component.

In another aspect the present disclosure provides a protected robotsystem comprising:

-   -   a robot including at least one joint and a movable robot        component coupled to the joint; and    -   a protective wrap formed by a material sheet that is wrapped        around the robot component in a plurality of loops so as to form        a first tubular body that surrounds a portion of the robot        component, the plurality of loops including:        -   a first loop that encircles the robot component, and        -   a second loop that encircles the robot component and            overlaps at least a portion of the first loop.

In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a method ofprotecting a robot so as to form a protected robot system according tothe disclosure, the method comprising:

-   -   forming a protective wrap by wrapping a material sheet around a        robot component of the robot in a plurality of loops so as to        form a first tubular body that surrounds a portion of the robot        component, wherein wrapping the material sheet includes forming        a first loop that encircles the robot component and forming a        second loop that encircles the robot component and overlaps at        least a portion of the first loop, and    -   wherein the robot component is coupled to a joint of the robot        so as to be movable.

In accordance with this disclosure, the wraps described herein encompassmaterials that in other contexts may be referred to as tapes.

These as well as other aspects, advantages, and alternatives, willbecome apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by reading thefollowing detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above-mentioned aspects of the present disclosure and the manner ofobtaining them will become more apparent and the disclosure itself willbe better understood by reference to the following description of theembodiments of the disclosure, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a protected robot component accordingto an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an image of a surface of a material sheet according to anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3A is a schematic side view of a protected robot componentaccording to another embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3B is an image of the protected robot component of FIG. 3A fromanother angle;

FIG. 3C is an image of the protected robot component of FIG. 3A fromanother angle;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of two protected robot componentsaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 5 is an image of a protected robot system according to anembodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an image of the protected robot system of FIG. 5 from anotherangle with the end effector covered;

FIG. 7 is an image of another protected robot component; and

FIG. 8 shows an image of a person applying a protective wrap to a robotcomponent in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

Corresponding reference numerals are used to indicate correspondingparts throughout the several views.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The embodiments of the present disclosure described below are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the preciseforms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, theembodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the artmay appreciate and understand the principles and practices of thepresent disclosure.

Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first” and “second” are usedherein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal,positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which theseterms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does notrequire or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbereditem, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.

As used herein, a system, apparatus, device, structure, article,element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specifiedfunction is indeed capable of performing the specified function withoutany alteration, rather than merely having potential to perform thespecified function after further modification. In other words, thesystem, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware“configured to” perform a specified function is specifically selected,created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for thepurpose of performing the specified function. As used herein,“configured to” denotes existing characteristics of a system, apparatus,structure, article, element, component, or hardware which enable thesystem, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardwareto perform the specified function without further modification. Forpurposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, structure, article,element, component, or hardware described as being “configured to”perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively bedescribed as being “adapted to” and/or as being “operative to” performthat function.

The protective wrap and methods described herein are adapted forprotecting portions of a robot system from contaminating substances,such as airborne droplets and dust. For example, painting robots aresusceptible to becoming coated with droplets of paint that land on therobot components rather than the target piece. The protective wrap cancover surfaces of the robot so that these paint droplets land on theprotective wrap rather than the surface of the robot. Of course, theprotective wrap can also protect the surface of the robot from largercontaminants, such as splashes and debris, depending on the use of therobot. Thus, the protective wrap may also be effective for preventingscratches and other undesired surface contact.

In an aspect, the disclosure provides a protected robot system thatincludes a robot having at least one joint and a movable robot componentcoupled to the joint. A protective wrap that is formed by a materialsheet is wrapped around the robot component in a plurality of loops soas to form a first tubular body that surrounds a portion of the robotcomponent. The loops forming the tubular body include a first loop thatencircles the robot component and a second loop that encircles the robotcomponent and overlaps at least a portion of the first loop.

With reference to the Figures, FIG. 1 shows a schematic depiction of arobot component 110 that is partially covered by a protective wrap 130.The protective wrap 130 is formed by a material sheet 132 that iswrapped around the robot component 110 in a plurality of loops so as toform a first tubular body 140 that surrounds a portion of the robotcomponent 110. The first tubular body 140 includes a first loop 142 thatencircles the robot component 110 and a second loop 144 that alsoencircles the robot component 110. A portion of the second loop 144overlaps a portion of the first loop 142.

In some embodiments, the first loop and the second loop of theprotective wrap may be formed by adjacent sections along the length ofthe material sheet. For example, in some embodiments a portion of thematerial sheet may wrap around the robot component in an overlappinghelix, such that a section of the material sheet that encircles therobot component covers a portion of an immediately adjacent section ofthe material sheet. Such an embodiment is shown in FIG. 1 , wherematerial sheet 132 is wrapped in a helical configuration around robotcomponent 110 such that most of the loops along the tubular body 140partially cover a neighboring loop on one side and are likewisepartially covered by a neighboring loop on the other side.

On the other hand, in other embodiments, the first loop and second loopof the protective wrap may be formed by sections of the material sheetthat are spaced apart from one another. For example, in someembodiments, a first section of the material sheet may wrap around therobot component without any overlap as the material sheet extends alongthe robot component in a first direction while a second section of thematerial sheet wraps around the robot component in the oppositedirection so as to cover the first section. In such a case the firstloop may be part of the first section of the material sheet while thesecond loop may be part of the second section of the material sheet,such that the first and second loops have some overlap but are notimmediately adjacent along the length of the material sheet.

Further, it should be understood that the first loop and second loopsare not limited to any particular position along the length of thematerial sheet. Nor are first loop or second loop limited within thetubular body formed by the material sheet. For example, the “first loop”may be a loop of the material sheet that is in the middle of a series ofloops that encircle the robot component.

In some embodiments, the material sheet may be formed as a singlecontinuous strip. For example, the material sheet may be formed from onecontinuous elongated strip of material that wraps around the robotcomponent. Thus, both the first loop and the second loop may be formedby sections of a single strip of the material sheet. In someembodiments, the material sheet may be combined with one or moreadditional material sheets to protect surfaces of the robot, asdescribed in more detail below.

In some embodiments, the material sheet may be fiberless. For example,the material sheet may be a nonwoven that avoids the possibility ofshedding fibers.

In some embodiments, the material sheet may have an undulatingtopography. For example, FIG. 2 shows a section of a material sheet 132in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. As depicted, thesurface of the material sheet in the embodiment of FIG. 2 has aplurality of ridges and valleys. This topography of the material sheetcan provide some elasticity to the material sheet, as described furtherbelow. Moreover, the undulating topography of the material sheet may aidin capturing contaminants. For example, as droplets of a contaminant,such as paint, come into contact with the material sheet, they may nestwithin the valleys on the surface of the material sheet. This nest ofdroplets within the valleys of the material sheet can increase theamount of surface contamination the protective wrap can receive beforeit should be removed. For example, the nest of droplets within thevalleys of the material sheet can reduce dripping of droplets from theprotective wrap to other surfaces. In other embodiments, the materialsheet may have a smooth or flat surface.

In some embodiments, the material sheet may be porous. For example, insome embodiments, the material sheet may be permeable, such that air canpass through the material sheet. Such a porous material sheet may beadvantageous in capturing contaminants in a manner similar to theundulating topography as explained above. In other embodiments, thematerial sheet may be impermeable. An impermeable material sheet may bebeneficial for certain applications because it may reduce contaminantscontacting the surface of the robot component.

In some embodiments, the material sheet may be elastic. For example, insome embodiments, the composition of the material sheet is an elasticmaterial that can be stretched before tearing. In other embodiments, thephysical shape of the material sheet may impart elasticity to thematerial sheet. For example, as explained above, in some embodiments,the material sheet can have an undulating topography that provideselasticity to the material sheet. For example, as the material sheet isstretched, the peaks and valleys of the sheet may flatten, therebyallowing the material sheet to elongate without tearing. Still, in otherembodiments, a combination of the composition of the material sheet andthe topography may provide elasticity to the material sheet. As anexample, in some embodiments, the material sheet may stretch from arelaxed state in at least one direction by at least 25% without tearing.Further in some embodiments, the material sheet may stretch at least 50%without tearing. Further still, in some embodiments the material sheetmay stretch at least 100% or more without tearing.

In some embodiments, the material sheet may include one or more ofnylon, polyester, polypropylene, rayon, spandex, polyamide, cellulosic,acrylic, polyethylene or another suitable composition. Further, in someembodiments, the material sheet may be free of silicone.

The material sheet may have a range of different widths. For example, insome embodiments, the material sheet may be at least 8 inches wide,e.g., at least 10 inches wide, e.g., at least 12 inches wide, e.g., atleast 15 inches wide. In other embodiments, the material sheet may beless than 8 inches wide, such as 1 inch wide, 2 inches wide, 4 incheswide, or 6 inches wide. Further, in some embodiments, the material sheetmay have varying widths. For example, in some embodiments, the materialsheet may have a first width that runs along a majority of the length ofthe material sheet with sections along the length of the material sheetthat have a shorter width. Such narrow sections may be used to arrangethe material sheet around certain geometries of the robot component. Forexample, a narrow section may be beneficial around a bending section ofa robot component.

In some embodiments, the material sheet may be self-adhering. Forexample, the material sheet may be a cohesive sheet such that thematerial sheet will adhere to itself but not to other surfaces, such asthe surface of the robot component. To achieve the self-adhering aspectof the material sheet, the material sheet may include a cohesivesubstance on a surface of the material sheet. For example, in someembodiments, a cohesive substance that substantially adheres to itselfis provided on both the first side of the material sheet and the secondside of the material sheet. In some embodiments, the cohesive substancemay include at least one of a latex-based cohesive or a latex-freecohesive, e.g., at least one of natural rubber latex, synthetic rubberlatex, polyisoprene, polychloroprene, polyester polyurethane, andpolycaprolactone polyurethane.

In other embodiments, a first adhesive substance is provided on a firstside of the material sheet and a second adhesive substance is providedon a second side of the material sheet. In some embodiments, the firstand second adhesive substances may be formulated to substantially adhereto one another but not to other surfaces, so as to form a self-adheringmaterial sheet. In other embodiments, the first and second adhesivesubstances may be non-adherent individually but combine to form anadhesive, such that each side of the material sheet is non-adhering, butthe two sides of the material sheet form an adhesive when joined.Further, in some embodiments, the physical structure of the materialsheet may be configured to be self-adhering. For example, the materialsheet may include a surface texture that forms a mechanical attachmentwhen portions of the material sheet are positioned against one another,in a manner similar to hook-and-loop material or another recloseablefastener. Accordingly, a robot component can be covered with protectivewrap including a self-adhering material sheet without fasteners.

In some embodiments, the material sheet may be flame retardant. Forexample, in some embodiments, the material sheet may be treated to beflame retardant or may include a flame retardant substance. In otherembodiments, the material sheet may be flame resistant.

In some embodiments, the tubular body may substantially conform to anouter shape of the robot component. For example, in some embodiments,the material sheet is wrapped tightly around the robot component, suchthat the shape of the tubular body substantially conforms to the outershape of the portion of the robot component that is covered by thetubular body. For example, in some embodiments, the entire interiorsurface of the tubular body is no more than 2 inches from the exteriorsurface of the robot component. In other words, in such an embodiment,no point on the interior surface of the tubular body is more than 2inches from the nearest point on the exterior surface of the robotcomponent. Further, in some embodiment the entire interior surface ofthe tubular body is no more than 1 inch from the exterior surface of therobot component. Further still, in some embodiments, the entire interiorsurface of the tubular body is no more than ½ inch from the exteriorsurface of the robot component. By substantially conforming the materialsheet to the outer shape of the robot component, the amount or weight ofthe protective wrap can be reduced. This may provide advantages overother types of protective elements that cover the robot more loosely.

Further, in some embodiments, the protective wrap can conform to theouter surface of the robot component over a change in size of the robotcomponent. For example, in some embodiments, the tubular body formed bythe material sheet may extend from a section of a robot component with athicker diameter to a section of the robot component with a smallerdiameter. For example, the tubular body may extend over sections of arobot component that vary in diameter by as much as a factor of 1.5×,2×, 3× or more. By conforming to the outer shape of the robot component,the protective wrap can avoid interfering with external structuresaround the robot or getting caught on such external structures.Accordingly, a robot component covered with the protective wrap canoperate in small spaces without interference. This may provideadvantages over other types of protective elements that cover the robotmore loosely. In some embodiments, the protective wrap can help avoiddamaging a painted surface.

In some embodiments, the material sheet may also be wrapped around therobot component so as to form a second tubular body that surrounds therobot component and an opening is provided in the protective wrapbetween the first tubular body and the second tubular body. Such anembodiment is shown in FIG. 3A-3C. The robot component 310 includes afirst section 312 and a second section 314 that is disposed at an angleto the first section 312. As shown, the first section 312 forms a distalend of the robot component and the second section 314 is connected toother parts of the robot, for example through a joint. A protective wrap330 may cover parts of the robot component 310. In particular, amaterial sheet 332 may be wrapped around the first section 312 in amanner that forms a first tubular body 340 and around the second section314 in a manner that forms a second tubular body 350. An opening 360 inthe protective wrap 330 may be provided between the first tubular body340 and the second tubular body 350.

In some embodiments, the opening may provide access to a surface of therobot component. For example, the opening in the protective wrap mayprovide access for connecting additional components to the robotcomponent. For example, the opening may provide access to electricalports for sending or receiving data, such as operating instructions orsensor data, to/from the robot component. Likewise, the opening mayprovide access for fluid ports, such as for delivery from the robotcomponent or for pneumatic or hydraulic systems. Further still, in someembodiments, the opening may provide access to information, such asinformation provided on a label or screen. Other uses of the opening arealso possible. Moreover, in some embodiments the opening in theprotective wrap may be provided for convenience, such as to avoidcovering a portion of the robot that is difficult or unnecessary tocover.

In some embodiments, the material sheet may also be wrapped around asecond robot component so as to form a second tubular body thatsurrounds the second robot component and an opening is provided in theprotective wrap between the first tubular body and the second tubularbody. Such an embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 . The robot system 400 shownin FIG. 4 includes a first robot component 410 and a second robotcomponent 420 that are connected to one another. A protective wrap 430may cover parts of the robot. In particular, a material sheet 432 may bewrapped around the first robot component 410 in a manner that forms afirst tubular body 440 and around the second robot component 420 in amanner that forms a second tubular body 450. An opening 460 in theprotective wrap 430 may be provided between the first tubular body 440and the second tubular body 450.

In some embodiments, a robot joint between the first robot component andthe second robot component may be provided in the opening between thefirst tubular body and the second tubular body. For example, in theembodiment shown in FIG. 4 , first robot component 410 and second robotcomponent 420 are connected by a joint 422. An opening 460 in theprotective wrap 430 may be provided in the area surrounding the joint422. Such an opening can help the protective wrap 430 from interferingwith the joint 422. In other embodiments, the protective wrap maycontinue over the joint without any opening. Still, in otherembodiments, joints may be avoided entirely by the protective wrap, suchthat the robot system does not include any material sheets forming aprotective wrap that extend from side of a joint to the opposing side ofa joint. Further, in some embodiments, the protective wrap may beprovided on either side of a joint, while a different type of coverextends over the joint.

In some embodiments, the protected robot system includes additionalelements that protect the surface of the robot. For example, in someembodiments, the protected robot system may also include a protectivecover in the form of an envelope that covers a portion of the robot. Inother embodiments, the protected robot system may also include one ormore additional protective wraps that covers another portion of therobot. Further still, in some embodiments, the protected robot systemmay include covers in the form of sheets that are draped over portionsof the robot. Moreover, some embodiments may include any combination ofone or more protective wraps, covers formed as envelopes, and coversformed as sheets.

The term envelope, as used herein, refers to a cover that forms apredefined cavity. For example, the envelope may be in the form of atube with an interior space configured to enclose a portion of therobot. Likewise, such an envelope may be in the form of a pocket or backwith a closed end that slips over a portion of the robot. The envelopemay include a closeable opening along an edge that uses fasteners toclose and form a tube or pocket. The term envelope, as used herein, isdistinct from a wrap, in that it does not form an enclosure or tube bylooping around the robot a plurality of times.

An embodiment of a robot system including such a protective cover isshown in FIG. 5 . Robot system 500 includes a robot 502. A portion ofthe robot 502 is enclosed by a cover 570 in the form of an envelopecover shaped as a tube. The robot 502 also includes a robot component510 in the form of a robot arm that is covered with a protective wrap530 formed by a material sheet 532 that wraps around the robot arm 510in the manner described above. Thus, in robot system 500, part of therobot 502 is protected by the cover 570 and part of the robot 502 iscovered by the protective wrap 530.

In some embodiments, a portion of the tubular body may overlap an openend of the protective cover. For example, in some embodiments, theprotective cover may be placed on the robot first, and the protectivewrap may be wrapped around a portion of the robot so as to form atubular body that extends over part of the protective cover. Such aconfiguration may allow the protective wrap to enclose an open end ofthe protective cover and ensure continuous protection across theinterface between the protective wrap and the protective cover.

On the other hand, in some embodiments, an open end of the protectivecover may overlap a portion of the tubular body. For example, in someembodiments, the entire protective wrap may be applied to the surface ofthe robot and the protective cover may be slid over a portion of theprotective wrap. Such a configuration may allow the protective wrap toform a tight fit over a desired section of the robot.

In some embodiments, the protected robot system may include more thanone material sheet that are used together to cover a certain portion ofthe robot. For example, in some embodiments, the first tubular bodyincorporates a second material sheet that overlaps at least a portion ofthe material sheet. In other words, in some embodiments, two materialssheets may be used in combination to form a continuing or reinforcedtubular body. The first material sheet may wrap around the robotcomponent a plurality of times to form part of the first tubular bodyand the second material sheet may overlap a portion of the firstmaterial sheet. Thus, the second material sheet may further lengthen thefirst tubular body or may increase the number of layers of the firsttubular body.

In some embodiments, the first tubular body may include an open end anda distal portion of the robot component may extend from the open end.For example, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, the robot component 310 includes adistal end 316 that extends out from an open end 344 of the firsttubular body 340.

In some embodiments, the distal portion of the robot component mayinclude a nozzle for a fluid. For example, in some embodiments, thedistal portion of the robot component may be a painting tool. Forexample, in some embodiments, the robot component may be a paint bell ora paint gun. Further in some embodiments, the robot component may be acartridge bell. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the nozzle may befor another fluid. For example, in some embodiments, the robot componentmay be a cleaning tool, and the nozzle may be configured to spray wateror air. Other configurations and uses of nozzles are also possible.

In some embodiments, the distal portion of the robot component mayinclude another end effector. For example, in some embodiments, therobot component may be a mechanical tool, a gripping component, such asjaws, a laser, a welding tool, a surgical tool, or another end effector.On the other hand, in some embodiments, the robot component may beanother component of the robot, such as a wrist or an arm segment.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides a method of protecting arobot so as to form a protected robot system according to thedisclosure. The method may include forming a protective wrap by wrappinga material sheet around a robot component of the robot in a plurality ofloops so as to form a first tubular body that surrounds a portion of therobot component. Wrapping the material sheet may include forming a firstloop that encircles the robot component and forming a second loop thatencircles the robot component and overlaps at least a portion of thefirst loop. The robot component may be a coupled to a joint of the robotso as to be movable.

A depiction of an operation in an embodiment of the method of protectinga robot is shown in FIG. 8 , where a person is wrapping a material sheetaround a robot component so as to form a protective wrap around therobot component. In some embodiments, the material sheet can be tearableby hand of the person.

In some embodiments, the method may also include removing the protectivewrap after a certain amount of use. For example, in some embodiments,the protective wrap may be removed after a certain amount of time orcycles of use, after the protective wrap accumulates a certain amount ofcontaminants, or when the protective wrap appears contaminated.

Further, in some embodiments, the method may include forming a secondprotective wrap over at least a portion of the initial protective wrapafter the initial protective wrap has been used. For example, in someembodiments, after the protective wrap accumulates a certain amount ofcontaminants, such as paint, an operator may wrap the contaminatedprotective wrap with a second protective wrap to prevent dripping orfurther contamination from the initial protective wrap. The formation ofthe second protective wrap can be substantially more efficient than anentire removal and re-wrapping of the component, while addressing theexisting contamination.

While exemplary embodiments incorporating the principles of the presentdisclosure have been disclosed hereinabove, the present disclosure isnot limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application isintended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosureusing its general principles. Further, this application is intended tocover such departures from the present disclosure as come within knownor customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains andwhich fall within the limits of the appended claims.

EMBODIMENTS

Embodiment 1. A protective wrap for a robot component, the protectivewrap comprising a continuous strip of a material sheet configured towrap around the robot component in a plurality of loops so as to form atubular body that surrounds a portion of the robot component.

Embodiment 2. The protective wrap according to embodiment 1, wherein thematerial sheet is formed as a single continuous strip.

Embodiment 3. The protective wrap according to embodiment 1, wherein thematerial sheet is fiberless.

Embodiment 4. The protective wrap according to embodiment 1, wherein thematerial sheet has an undulating topography.

Embodiment 5. The protective wrap according to embodiment 1, wherein thematerial sheet is porous.

Embodiment 6. The protective wrap according to embodiment 1, wherein thematerial sheet is elastic.

Embodiment 7. The protective wrap according to embodiment 1, wherein thematerial sheet is free of silicone.

Embodiment 8. The protective wrap according to embodiment 1, wherein thematerial sheet is at least 8 inches wide, e.g., at least 10 inches wide,e.g., at least 12 inches wide, e.g., at least 15 inches wide.

Embodiment 9. The protective wrap according to embodiment 1, wherein thematerial sheet is self-adhering.

Embodiment 10. The protective wrap according to embodiment 1, wherein acohesive substance is provided on a surface of the material sheet.

Embodiment 11. The protective wrap according to embodiment 1, whereinthe material sheet is flame retardant.

Embodiment 12. A protected robot system comprising:

-   -   a robot including at least one joint and a movable robot        component coupled to the joint; and    -   a protective wrap formed by a material sheet that is wrapped        around the robot component in a plurality of loops so as to form        a first tubular body that surrounds a portion of the robot        component, the plurality of loops including:    -   a first loop that encircles the robot component, and    -   a second loop that encircles the robot component and overlaps at        least a portion of the first loop.

Embodiment 13. The protected robot system according to embodiment 12,wherein the material sheet is formed as a single continuous strip.

Embodiment 14. The protected robot system according to embodiment 12,wherein the material sheet is fiberless.

Embodiment 15. The protected robot system according to embodiment 12,wherein the material sheet has an undulating topography.

Embodiment 16. The protected robot system according to embodiment 12,wherein the material sheet is porous.

Embodiment 17. The protected robot system according to embodiment 12,wherein the material sheet is elastic.

Embodiment 18. The protected robot system according to embodiment 12,wherein the material sheet is free of silicone.

Embodiment 19. The protected robot system according to embodiment 12,wherein the material sheet is at least 8 inches wide, e.g., at least 10inches wide, e.g., at least 12 inches wide, e.g., at least 15 incheswide.

Embodiment 20. The protected robot system according to embodiment 12,wherein the material sheet is self-adhering.

Embodiment 21. The protected robot system according to embodiment 12,wherein a cohesive substance is provided on a surface of the materialsheet.

Embodiment 22. The protective robot system according to embodiment 12,wherein the material sheet is flame retardant.

Embodiment 23. The protected robot system according to embodiment 12,wherein the tubular body substantially conforms to an outer shape of therobot component.

Embodiment 24. The protected robot system according to embodiment 12,wherein the material sheet is also wrapped around the robot component soas to form a second tubular body that surrounds the robot component, andwherein an opening is provided in the protective wrap between the firsttubular body and the second tubular body.

Embodiment 25. The protected robot system according to embodiment 24,wherein the opening provides access to a surface of the robot component.

Embodiment 26. The protected robot system according to embodiment 12,wherein the material sheet is also wrapped around a second robotcomponent so as to form a second tubular body that surrounds the secondrobot component, and wherein an opening is provided in the protectivewrap between the first tubular body and the second tubular body.

Embodiment 27. The protected robot system according to embodiment 26,wherein a robot joint between the first robot component and the secondrobot component is provided in the opening between the first tubularbody and the second tubular body.

Embodiment 28. The protected robot system according to embodiment 12,further comprising a protective cover in the form of an envelope thatcovers a portion of the robot.

Embodiment 29. The protected robot system according to embodiment 28,wherein a portion of the tubular body overlaps an open end of theprotective cover.

Embodiment 30. The protected robot system according to embodiment 28,wherein an open end of the protective cover overlaps a portion of thefirst tubular body.

Embodiment 31. The protected robot system according to embodiment 12,wherein the first tubular body incorporates a second material sheet thatoverlaps at least a portion of the material sheet.

Embodiment 32. The protected robot system according to embodiment 12,further comprising a second protective wrap formed by a second materialsheet that is wrapped around a second robot component in a plurality ofloops so as to form a second tubular body that surrounds a portion ofthe second robot component.

Embodiment 33. The protected robot system according to embodiment 12,wherein the first tubular body includes an open end and a distal portionof the robot component extends from the open end.

Embodiment 34. The protected robot system according to embodiment 33,wherein the distal portion of the robot component includes a nozzle fora fluid.

Embodiment 35. The protected robot system according to embodiment 33,wherein the distal portion of the robot component includes an endeffector.

Embodiment 36. The protected robot system according to embodiment 33,wherein the robot component is a paint bell.

Embodiment 37. The protected robot system according to embodiment 36,wherein the paint bell is a cartridge bell.

Embodiment 38. The protected robot system according to embodiment 33,wherein the robot component is a paint gun.

Embodiment 39. The protected robot system according to embodiment 12,wherein the robot component is an arm segment.

Embodiment 40. A method of protecting a robot so as to form a protectedrobot system according to any of embodiments 12 to 39, the methodcomprising:

-   -   forming a protective wrap by wrapping a material sheet around a        robot component of the robot in a plurality of loops so as to        form a first tubular body that surrounds a portion of the robot        component, wherein wrapping the material sheet includes forming        a first loop that encircles the robot component and forming a        second loop that encircles the robot component and overlaps at        least a portion of the first loop, and    -   wherein the robot component is a coupled to a joint of the robot        so as to be movable.

1. A protected robot system comprising: a robot including at least onejoint and a movable robot component coupled to the joint; and aprotective wrap formed by a material sheet that is wrapped around therobot component in a plurality of loops so as to form a first tubularbody that surrounds a portion of the robot component, the plurality ofloops including: a first loop that encircles the robot component, and asecond loop that encircles the robot component and overlaps at least aportion of the first loop.
 2. The protected robot system according toclaim 1, wherein the material sheet is formed as a single continuousstrip.
 3. The protected robot system according to claim 1, wherein thematerial sheet has an undulating topography.
 4. The protected robotsystem according to claim 1, wherein the material sheet is elastic. 5.The protected robot system according to claim 1, wherein the materialsheet is self-adhering.
 6. The protected robot system according to claim1, wherein the tubular body substantially conforms to an outer shape ofthe robot component.
 7. The protected robot system according to claim 1,wherein the material sheet is also wrapped around the robot component soas to form a second tubular body that surrounds the robot component, andwherein an opening is provided in the protective wrap between the firsttubular body and the second tubular body.
 8. The protected robot systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the material sheet is also wrapped arounda second robot component so as to form a second tubular body thatsurrounds the second robot component, and wherein an opening is providedin the protective wrap between the first tubular body and the secondtubular body.
 9. The protected robot system according to claim 1,further comprising a protective cover in the form of an envelope thatcovers a portion of the robot.
 10. The protected robot system accordingto claim 9, wherein a portion of the tubular body and an open end of theprotective cover are overlapping.
 11. The protected robot systemaccording to claim 1, wherein the first tubular body incorporates asecond material sheet that overlaps at least a portion of the materialsheet.
 12. The protected robot system according to claim 1, furthercomprising a second protective wrap formed by a second material sheetthat is wrapped around a second robot component in a plurality of loopsso as to form a second tubular body that surrounds a portion of thesecond robot component.
 13. The protected robot system according toclaim 1, wherein the first tubular body includes an open end and adistal portion of the robot component extends from the open end.
 14. Theprotected robot system according to claim 13, wherein the distal portionof the robot component includes a nozzle for a fluid.
 15. The protectedrobot system according to claim 13, wherein the distal portion of therobot component includes an end effector
 16. A method of protecting arobot so as to form a protected robot system, the method comprising:forming a protective wrap by wrapping a material sheet around a robotcomponent of the robot in a plurality of loops so as to form a firsttubular body that surrounds a portion of the robot component, whereinwrapping the material sheet includes forming a first loop that encirclesthe robot component and forming a second loop that encircles the robotcomponent and overlaps at least a portion of the first loop, and whereinthe robot component is a coupled to a joint of the robot so as to bemovable.
 17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the materialsheet is self-adhering.
 18. The method according to claim 16, furthercomprising forming a second protective wrap over at least a portion ofthe protective wrap by wrapping a second material sheet around the robotcomponent in a plurality of loops.
 19. The method according to claim 18,wherein the second protective wrap is formed over at least a portion ofthe protective wrap after the protective wrap accumulates contaminants.20. The method according to claim 16, further comprising removing theprotective wrap after the protective wrap accumulates contaminants.